18th Avenue Mom

3 Ways to Find Strength When You Feel Burned Out

3 Ways to Find Strength When You Feel Burned Out

Hey there, weary moms! Phew! Did you finally just get a chance to sit down for 5 minutes? I know how it is. Being a mom requires us to constantly wear ourselves out. We are overworked and overwhelmed with the steady stream of responsibilities. We are so busy taking care of others and often don’t take the time to refuel ourselves. The thing we need most in order to survive each day is strength. Some look for strength in the wrong places and keep coming up empty, while others forget to seek it out altogether. There is one tried and true way that never leaves you wanting. Here are 3 ways to find strength when you feel burned out…

Moms Have Needs Too

You are a mom. It’s who you are now. Sure, you may also be a realtor or a businesswoman, but I doubt you carry photos of your desk in your wallet. You can’t think of yourself without your kids anymore, because they are basically an appendage at this point! So much of your life revolves around them; and you do your best to make their world safe, happy, and full of love. The hard part is, we often put ourselves last when we become a mom. Our husband, our children, and our jobs often take priority over our own needs.

Let’s be honest: who here has NOT heard “You have to take care of yourself too, or you won’t be any good to anyone else!”? I have heard that countless times, from multiple sources. I am guilty of running myself ragged and not taking care of my own needs. But there is one need that I make sure to meet every day, so I am able to survive the chaos that is sure to ensue: I refuel my spirit.

Refueling Your Spirit

Our spirit is what drives us. It can be lifted or crushed, empty or overflowing. Our spirit’s health determines our attitudes, behaviors, and even our physical health. So it makes sense to take care of it! And what is a better way to care for our spirit than to stay close to the One who made it? Here are 3 simple steps to strengthen your spirit and refuel.

1) Read God’s Word

“The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer; my God is my Strength, in Whom I trust. He is my Shield and the Horn of my salvation; my High Tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

This is my life verse. Why? Because I constantly need a reminder of where my strength comes from. If I didn’t have the Lord’s strength each day, I would be a train wreck…and a lousy wife and mom! Every morning, I take a few minutes to sit down and read God’s Word. Even if it’s just a few highlighted verses, or a psalm – don’t feel like you have to start out reading for half an hour at a time! Something is better than nothing. And God’s Word is full of strength that can encourage us and prepare us for things that we will face throughout the day.

So dive in…or skim your highlights! Write down a few of your favorite verses on sticky notes and put them on your mirror; then you will still start the day off right, even on your busiest mornings. If you’re just starting out, or you are having trouble finding verses that stand out and empower you, check out this list of Power Verses for Moms:

2) Pray: Talk to God

Prayer isn’t that scary, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Just talk to the Lord as if you were talking to your spouse or a friend. He cares about you, and He wants to hear from you. Remember, relationships go two ways. The more you talk with God, the closer you will feel to Him, and the more you will begin to hear His voice. Sometimes, just getting your stresses out and telling Him about your struggles takes a load off. He can lift the weight off your shoulders so you feel stronger.

But don’t forget to talk to Him about non-stress topics too! Tell Him how much you love Him. Thank Him for your kids and your family. Talk to Him about the crazy day you had yesterday. Include Him in your day today…He’s listening! And if you can find a few minutes of peace and quiet, ask Him to speak to you too. Then wait, and listen.

3) Worship

This one is my favorite, and something tells me it’s God’s favorite too! When I am at my weakest, the one thing that lifts me up and strengthens me more than anything else is simply worshiping the Lord. Turn on your favorite worship song, or just sing to Him without music. Or skip the tunes altogether, if that’s not your thing, and just tell him how awesome He is. It may seem simple, but it’s so powerful!

The Bible tells us that “The Lord inhabits the praises of His people” in Psalm 22:3. When we worship God, His presence surrounds us. How could we NOT be strengthened in the presence of God? So worship Him! If you’re having a rough day and need to refuel, but don’t have an opportunity to be alone, play some worship music throughout the day. It’s a great way to get close to the Lord, and to get a quick fill-up! What are some of your favorite worship songs? I would love to hear from you, so let me know in the comments below!

Let’s Tap Into God’s Strength

Alright, mamas, let’s do this! If it’s still morning, and you haven’t already, spend at least a few moments with the Lord to refuel. Read His Word, talk to Him in prayer, and worship Him; and see if you don’t feel strengthened to face the challenges of the coming day. If morning has long passed, that’s okay too – have an afternoon or evening chat with Him. It’s better late than never, and He is always there to listen and to strengthen you. “Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

As we are pulled in multiple directions and forced to find balance in our lives, it is refreshing to know that we can find strength in the One who made us. When our kids make us want to pull our hair out, we can hide in the bathroom (or the pantry…or under the kitchen table if needed!) and allow the Lord to fill us with His strength. Let’s make an effort to refuel as often as possible, and make the most out of this life as moms!

I hope you ladies are encouraged by these simple steps! Which one is your favorite? Which one do you struggle with the most? Leave a comment below, or feel free to send me an email. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s inspiration!